"I really considered it my bounden duty," he continued very plaintively, with an accent on the "bounden."
"Yes?" said Mrs. Verulam with calm innocence.
"To—to tell you what—what the world is saying," said Mr. Rodney in marked discomfort.
"About me?"
"About you and—and Mr. Van Adam."
"Indeed! What should it say?"
"Very, very dreadful things!" said Mr. Rodney, almost blushing.
"Dear me! How very absurd!" she cried lightly.
"Indeed!" said Mr. Rodney, with more courage. "It is not absurd." He thought of his hours of furtive precaution in the royal Enclosure. "Far, far from it! I hardly like to tell you——"
"Please do."